McCain: Cruz and I Are 'Very Friendly'

Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has denied a report quoting an employee of his office claiming he “f***ing hates” Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).

As Senate Republicans convened for their weekly lunch meeting on Tuesday, members spoke to reporters about their views regarding the defunding effort of Obamacare through the House’s Continuing Resolution.

“I just had dinner with Senator Cruz last week we have a very cordial relationship. We agree on a lot more things than we disagree,” Senator McCain told Breitbart News. “I think we’re very friendly.”

Fox news Channel’s Chris Wallace told his viewers on Sunday that “top D.C. Republicans” sent him opposition research about Cruz. GOP leadership came out against Cruz’s effort to mount a filibuster against the CR, but Senator McConnell’s campaign manager denied to Breitbart News’s Matt Boyle his office had anything to do with the opposition attack against Cruz.

Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) told Breitbart News on Tuesday, “I was in leadership this morning. I thought leadership was very united, so I didn’t notice any infighting.”

Corker added, “I would have no knowledge of [opposition research sent to the media]. I can assure you of that. I mean I have no idea if that even occurred. I heard it repeated in some news outlet, but I would have no knowledge of that.”

Senator McCain made it clear he did not know how the votes were being whipped by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), but McCain did not support Cruz’s strategy, fearing a government shutdown will happen and the GOP will be blamed.

“I don’t know what all the scenes are, but I know how the movie ends. The movie ends, we don’t defund Obamacare,” said McCain. When asked by Breitbart News if not defunding Obamacare would essentially be a vote for Obama’s health care law, McCain responded, ” I would love to defund Obamacare. I’ll do anything possible, but I’m not gonna shutdown the government.”